Illinois farmers finish fall harvest

Farmers are working on fall tillage and applying fertilizer on their fields ahead of the spring, according to a report (http://bit.ly/IsqSUa ) in the (Springfield) State Journal-Register.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service says 98 percent of Illinois’ corn crop has been harvested, along with the state’s entire soybean crop.

The end of harvest came after a week that included high winds, rain and bitter temperatures.

“Recent wind damage flattened corn in the northwest part of the state,” the agency said in a statement.

The rain helped topsoil as the state recovered from last year’s drought. About 80 percent of topsoil had adequate or surplus moisture.

Federal officials have said they expect Illinois farmers to harvest about 2.11 billion bushels of corn this year. The state’s harvest record was set in 2008 when farmers collected 2.13 billion bushels. Fields are expected to yield on average about 180 bushels of corn an acre.

Soybean production is expected to reach 461 million bushels, or about 49 bushels an acre.